The alliance banquet continued long into the night.
For the first time in many years, Qin and Zhao soldiers sat beneath the same roof without reaching for their weapons. Cups of wine were raised, roasted meat disappeared from the tables, and laughter echoed throughout the great hall.
Among the countless conversations, one table had become especially lively.
Ri Yue smiled gently as she looked across at the two young women seated beside Shin.
"So... you are Shin's companions?"
Karyo Ten nodded enthusiastically.
"Yes! I'm the strategist of the Hi Shin Unit."
Kyou Kai placed her cup down before replying.
"...I am his lieutenant."
Ri Yue's expression softened.
"So one is his brain... and the other his sword."
Hyou Ren chuckled.
"And how old are the two of you?"
Before either woman could answer, Shin spoke through another mouthful of roasted meat.
"They're both around my age."
The couple exchanged a glance.
"So young..."
Ri Yue rested her chin on one hand.
"The battlefield is no place for young women."
Her voice carried no criticism.
Only concern.
"Tell me..."
"Why do you continue to fight beside Shin?"
Silence fell over the table.
Karyo Ten lowered her gaze.
Kyou Kai's crimson eyes became distant.
For several moments...
Neither answered.
At last, Karyo Ten smiled faintly.
"...We didn't have anywhere else to go."
Kyou Kai quietly continued.
"...The Hi Shin Unit became our home."
Her eyes naturally drifted toward Shin.
"So... we stayed."
Karyo Ten followed her gaze with a warm smile.
"It became our family."
Shin awkwardly scratched the back of his head.
"W-What's with everyone looking at me like that?"
Hyou Ren laughed.
"You truly are one lucky idiot."
"Huh?"
He looked at Kyou Kai and Karyo Ten with complete sincerity.
"So..."
"When are the three of you getting married?"
"WHAAAT?!"
PFFFT!
Shin sprayed his wine across the table.
Karyo Ten nearly inhaled her food while coughing violently.
Even Kyou Kai, who rarely showed emotion, choked on her drink, her face turning bright red.
Nearby officers turned in surprise.
"What happened over there?"
"Did someone start another fight?"
Even Riboku briefly glanced over before calmly returning to his cup.
Shin slammed both hands onto the table.
"GENERAL HYOU REN!! WHAT ARE YOU SAYING?!"
Karyo Ten's face burned scarlet.
"W-We aren't like that!"
Kyou Kai remained completely silent...
Though the redness reaching the tips of her ears betrayed her.
Beside Hyou Ren...
Ri Yue smiled gracefully.
Then…
Pinch.
Hyou Ren's body stiffened.
Without changing his expression, he endured the invisible punishment from beneath the table.
Ri Yue withdrew her hand elegantly.
"My husband has a habit of speaking before thinking."
She looked at the three embarrassed youths with a gentle smile.
"You're all still young."
"There is no need to rush something as important as marriage."
"Life has a way of deciding such things."
The tension melted away.
Even Shin let out a relieved sigh.
"...You scared me half to death."
Hyou Ren quietly rubbed his side.
"...my lady wife is terrifying."
"I heard that."
The table erupted into laughter.
For one peaceful moment...
There were no generals.
No battlefields.
Only people sharing food beneath the same roof.
As the banquet drew to a close, Hyou Ren and Ri Yue rose from their seats.
They would be departing before dawn.
Shin stood as well.
"So you're leaving already?"
Hyou Ren nodded.
"Our soldiers have rested long enough."
Ri Yue smiled warmly.
"It is time."
The two turned to leave, but after taking only a few steps…
"...General Hyou Ren."
Shin's voice stopped them.
Everyone at the table turned toward him.
Shin scratched the back of his head before smiling.
"...Good fortune."
For the briefest moment...
Hyou Ren's stern face softened.
He answered with a smile rarely seen by anyone.
"And to you…."
Ri Yue inclined her head, warmth filling her eyes.
"…. May Heaven watch over your path."
Kyou Kai and Karyo Ten also stood and bowed respectfully.
"We wish you both good fortune."
Hyou Ren acknowledged them with a nod.
"Continue looking after this fool."
Karyo Ten smiled.
"We'll do our best."
Kyou Kai nodded once.
"...We will."
Satisfied, Hyou Ren and Ri Yue departed the banquet hall.
Watching the lights of the banquet fade behind them, Ri Yue smiled softly.
"Our son may not have inherited our intellect."
Hyou Ren laughed heartily.
"No..."
"But he certainly inherited our instincts."
"Our strength."
"And somehow..."
"Our charm."
Ri Yue looked back one last time.
Inside the hall, Shin was already arguing loudly with Karyo Ten while Kyou Kai quietly watched them with the faintest smile.
"He has people who truly believe in him."
Hyou Ren nodded proudly.
"That alone is enough to cover the weaknesses he still carries."
Ri Yue gently intertwined her fingers with his.
"As for explaining our relationship to those two girls..."
"...Another time."
Hyou Ren smiled.
"What we learned tonight..."
"...was enough."
Side by side, the two disappeared into the darkness, while behind them the laughter of the younger generation continued to echo beneath the night sky.
Unaware that the greatest secret at the banquet had been sitting at their very table.